What is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Aseptic meningitis is typically caused by viral infections, such as enteroviruses (e.g., coxsackievirus, echovirus), herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and others. These viruses can infect the meninges, leading to inflammation and symptoms of meningitis without the presence of bacteria. While bacterial meningitis is a serious and life-threatening condition, aseptic meningitis caused by viruses is usually less severe and has a better prognosis. Fungi and parasites are less common causes of meningitis compared to bacteria and viruses.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Collagen fibers are the main component that gives connective tissue its strength. Collagen is a fibrous protein that provides structural support and tensile strength to connective tissues, allowing them to withstand stretching and tension. Epithelial cells, nerve cells, and blood cells are not the main components responsible for the strength of connective tissue. Epithelial cells are specialized for covering and lining surfaces, nerve cells transmit signals, and blood cells are involved in various functions like oxygen transport and immune response, but they do not provide the structural strength typical of collagen fibers in connective tissue.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Mass is the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of its location in the universe. Weight, on the other hand, is the force of gravity acting on an object and can vary depending on the gravitational pull at different locations. Density and volume can change based on the conditions the substance is in, so they are not constant properties. Therefore, the correct answer is mass as it does not change with changes in location.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct term for the process of a gas changing directly into a solid is deposition. During deposition, gas particles lose energy and transition directly into the solid state without passing through the liquid phase. Sublimation, on the other hand, is the process in which a solid changes directly into a gas without going through the liquid phase. Condensation is the process where gas changes into a liquid state. Evaporation, on the contrary, is the conversion of a liquid to a gas. Therefore, the correct answer is B, deposition.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Refraction is the change in direction of light as it moves from one medium to another, such as air to water or glass. This change occurs due to variations in the speed of light in each medium, causing the light rays to bend. When light passes through different mediums, it changes its path, a phenomenon known as refraction. Choice A, Diffraction, refers to the bending of waves around obstacles and the spreading of waves when passing through small openings, not the change in direction of light when moving between mediums. Choice B, Reflection, is the bouncing back of light rays from a surface into the same medium, not the change in direction when transitioning between different mediums. Choice D, Dispersion, involves the separation of light into its constituent colors based on their different wavelengths, not the change in direction of light when passing through different mediums.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Synergistic muscles are groups of muscles that work together in a coordinated manner to produce a specific movement. They synchronize their actions to achieve a common goal efficiently. In contrast, antagonistic muscles work in opposing directions, and agonistic muscles, also known as prime movers, are responsible for initiating a movement. Flexors and extensors represent muscles that perform contrasting actions around a joint, such as bending and straightening. Therefore, the correct answer is C - 'Synergistic muscles,' as they collaborate to facilitate a specific movement, unlike the other choices which describe different muscle functions within the body.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The Gram stain is a differential staining technique that categorizes bacteria into two groups based on their cell wall composition: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which retains the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure. Consequently, Gram-positive bacteria appear purple under the microscope after staining. On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria possess a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane that can be penetrated by the counterstain safranin, leading them to appear pink or red. Blue is not typically used to describe the color of bacteria in a Gram stain, making it an incorrect choice.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The seminal vesicles in the male reproductive system are responsible for producing the fluid that carries sperm. These glands contribute a significant portion of the semen's volume, providing nutrients and protection for the sperm, which helps in their motility and survival. The testes are responsible for producing sperm cells, not the fluid that carries them. The scrotum is the external sac that holds the testes and helps regulate their temperature but does not produce the fluid. The prostate gland produces a milky fluid that helps nourish and protect sperm but is not the main structure responsible for producing the fluid that carries sperm.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The 'fight-or-flight' response is triggered by the release of adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine from the adrenal glands. These hormones prepare the body to either confront or flee from a perceived threat or stressor. The adrenal glands are crucial in initiating this rapid physiological response. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the thyroid gland primarily regulates metabolism and energy levels, the pituitary gland controls other endocrine glands but does not directly trigger the 'fight-or-flight' response, and the pancreas is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels through insulin and glucagon, not for triggering the 'fight-or-flight' response.